SWABI: United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that his government shares Pakistan’s concerns and the difficulties it faces as a result of massive displacement of the people after the army operation launched against the Taliban in the Malakand division.
Mr Miliband visited the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp at Tehsil Chota Lahore where about 32,000 people of Swat and Buner are living in tents. ‘Law enforcement agencies remained on high alert for the whole day, and tight security arrangements were made for his visit. The emergency security plan was made on Monday evening but no body knew about his arrival,’ said an official.
He said that Miliband arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit. This is his fifth such visit to Pakistan, but it is the first time he has visited a displaced persons camp after the initiation of operation against the militants in Malakand division.
‘In the first leg of my visit I came straight to the IDPs camp to meet you and know about your problems and difficulties,’ he told to the displaced persons. ‘I assure you that we have long-term security relations with Pakistan.’
He showed great interest in knowing the problems of the displaced people while asking that whether they remained in contact with their family members in the troubled-regions. The displaced persons informed him that they are in close contact with them to know about the latest developments, while informing him that some of the members of their families stayed there despite a grave threat to their lives.
He asked IDPs when they would consider moving back home, to which people responded by saying that some families had already moved to the more peaceful regions, and that the remaining IDPs would also leave for their homes because majority of the areas had cleared by the army.
Mr Miliband visited the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp at Tehsil Chota Lahore where about 32,000 people of Swat and Buner are living in tents. ‘Law enforcement agencies remained on high alert for the whole day, and tight security arrangements were made for his visit. The emergency security plan was made on Monday evening but no body knew about his arrival,’ said an official.
He said that Miliband arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit. This is his fifth such visit to Pakistan, but it is the first time he has visited a displaced persons camp after the initiation of operation against the militants in Malakand division.
‘In the first leg of my visit I came straight to the IDPs camp to meet you and know about your problems and difficulties,’ he told to the displaced persons. ‘I assure you that we have long-term security relations with Pakistan.’
He showed great interest in knowing the problems of the displaced people while asking that whether they remained in contact with their family members in the troubled-regions. The displaced persons informed him that they are in close contact with them to know about the latest developments, while informing him that some of the members of their families stayed there despite a grave threat to their lives.
He asked IDPs when they would consider moving back home, to which people responded by saying that some families had already moved to the more peaceful regions, and that the remaining IDPs would also leave for their homes because majority of the areas had cleared by the army.
The Foreign Secretary said that his visit underlines the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where the army continues its operation against the Taliban. ‘This visit… allows me to underline the UK’s support for Pakistan’s current efforts to defeat the extremists and to restore peace and security to areas where extremists operate,’ he said. ‘It [the visit] presents a first opportunity for ministerial discussion of the new UK Pakistan strategic dialogue.’
The British Foreign Secretary said that his government is committed to boosting the national and international relief efforts to provide assistance for displaced people.
‘The UK has given $22 million in humanitarian aid to the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appeals,’ he said. ‘The European Union had already provided $ 400 million to Pakistan.’
He said that the British government extends its support to Pakistan at the present critical juncture, and that the UK had provided a billion dollars to Pakistan during the last four years to strengthen its economic position.
In reply to a question, he said that Pakistan faces an insurgency, and that the British government and other countries back Islamabad in the operation launched against the militants.
The British Foreign Secretary said that his government is committed to boosting the national and international relief efforts to provide assistance for displaced people.
‘The UK has given $22 million in humanitarian aid to the UN and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appeals,’ he said. ‘The European Union had already provided $ 400 million to Pakistan.’
He said that the British government extends its support to Pakistan at the present critical juncture, and that the UK had provided a billion dollars to Pakistan during the last four years to strengthen its economic position.
In reply to a question, he said that Pakistan faces an insurgency, and that the British government and other countries back Islamabad in the operation launched against the militants.
He said that his government has strong commitment to Pakistan, and that he was here to express solidarity with the government and displaced people while discussing the economic and security situation with Pakistani leadership.
He said that his government was aware that Pakistan is passing through a very critical period and is confronting these challenges.
The British foreign secretary said that his government would continue to play its due role for peace and economic prosperity in the South Asian region.
Earlier a detailed briefing was given to him by an army official about the total camps and the facilities provided to them by the government. He was also informed about the assistance provided to the government for the IDPs and the role of the NGOs was also highlighted.
He said that his government was aware that Pakistan is passing through a very critical period and is confronting these challenges.
The British foreign secretary said that his government would continue to play its due role for peace and economic prosperity in the South Asian region.
Earlier a detailed briefing was given to him by an army official about the total camps and the facilities provided to them by the government. He was also informed about the assistance provided to the government for the IDPs and the role of the NGOs was also highlighted.
(Daily Dawn Pakistan 07 July 2009)
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